S500Sport

Hi guys,

I'm thinking of buying a '15 S550 4M with about 14k on it. CPO. LINK TO CAR.

They want $59k.

Lets say I get it for $55, what is the depreciation for 2-3 years of ownership? How much do I stand to lose? I plan on putting minimal miles, as I will be using it as a weekend car. Maybe 500 miles/month.

Do you advise I get this car? or is it too mature for a 30 y.o. like me?

Or do I wait for the new body C43's (2019) to get returned to the dealer and just buy a used one. I don't want to buy new.

Thanks guys.

superangrypenguin

Check out the black book value of a 2015 S550 today versus a 2012 S550 today. That would give you a good sense of depreciation, but just keep in mind that just like stock prices, you don't realize the loss until you sell it, so is depreciation really something you should care about? Well - that's a personal question and for you to answer.

I'm 30, and right now I'm in between a W222 (new) or a 2019 Audi A8. To each their own. Some friends may mock me for buying an old man's car at the "tender" age of 30, but I have my own health issues to contend with and I'm comfortable with the size of my man-junk, so I don't need a crotch rocket to feel special. That said, I buy a car for me, not for status or any of that nonsense in life. That and a 14 million $/year annual quota has me pretty stressed out, so a nice flagship sedan is right up my alley.

Also a C43 and a S550 are two very different cars, both in driving dynamics, and cost of ownership, so...you're sort of comparing apples to elephants my friend!

S500Sport

I like the S550 because its so comfortable. Your heart rate just drops driving that car, it's so serene. I think the C43 is a mix of a sports car and a luxury car. If I had it my way, I would get an S550 and a Porsche 718 S (either version). So I'm trying to strike a balance, and so am considering the C43 ('19 used), but for that I'd have to wait a while for it to hit CPO showrooms. I am an automotive aficionado, I wouldn't buy for the reason of flashing status symbols, I genuinely like a nice car.

superangrypenguin

Have you considered an E class? I'm debating between that scenario too, but I decided to write off the E as my preference is towards a luxury car versus sports/luxury. I would encourage you to take a look at the MY19 E450 as an example. If you're in the US, you can also pay the $1100 (IIRC) for the Acoustic Comfort Package which adds additional sound insulation in the underbody and in the doors, and gives you double glazed windows like the S. That would give you a pretty darn good luxury car (and you can pay $1K or $1500 to add air body control (air suspension)). Win win?

superpop

I picked up a 2015 S550 4Matic with 17K miles back in February for 59K but the original MSRP was 119K. I would look for one with the sport package as it does give the car a more aggressive look. Funny thing is that this car will beat most of the so called hot rods on the road off the line unless it is a true sports car. Don't get me wrong, it is not a sports car but it is the most comfortable and quiet car on the road that I have found for under 100K. Depreciation is the biggest cost on these cars as they drop by about half in the first 2-3 years and then keep going all the way down to pretty much nothing after 10 years or so. In 3 years it will probably be worth around 35K. Still far less of a loss than if you buy it new.

S500Sport

This I didn't know, but I'll be looking at 75-80k with options, and the "S" just looks much better cosmetically than does the "E". The big V8 doesn't hurt the S's appeal either, I might add!

superangrypenguin

I agree, which is why I decided on paying another $20K to get the S. It looks better, but that said I was comparing the E450 and the S450, so no V8 for me (which I'm fine with). I live in **** Ontario where if you get busted 50km/hr above the speed limit, they impound your car for a week, suspend your license for a week, and you face a $10,000 fine.

S500Sport

How much do you think it will be worth after 2 years with 8k/year? Thanks for the feedback.

hyperion667

If you're concerned about depreciation, then a S class might not be for you.

XboxMeister

Super angry penguin, Ontario sounds bad. Just be glad you aren't in Finland. Friend of mine lives there and says they scale the fine based on your income. There was a famous case of a multimillionaire being hit with s gigantic speeding ticket fine based on his income. I guess they want it to be painful even for the very wealthy.

superangrypenguin

Wow. That's income-ist and completely unacceptable. I would never move to Finland (or anywhere in Europe for that matter). Bunch of socialists.

2012 merc amg

In answer to your question, being that the car takes a bigger hit the first couple of years and that the car is three years old you'd be looking at around 10K per year so for 2 years a 20 grand hit. If Trump gets the 25 percent Tariff past on Euro cars you could be 5 percent ahead after a couple of years . As far as the first couple years maybe a 30 to 40 grand hit depending on private sale or trade in. Hope this helps.

S500Sport

Great, just the info I was looking for. Trump is very unlikely to impose the tariffs, I think he's just throwing America's weight around trying to see what deals he can get. Though, If he doesn't follow through on his threats, they will be taken less seriously going forward.

S500Sport

Hey, you have an S550, how does it handle? Can you throw it into corners? Is it fun to drive? Or would you recommend a C43 if I'd like something of a more sporty nature? I'd say C63, but I value AWD and staying alive.

I would even consider a '15 S63 next year, cuz their on the market now in the 70's. I'd consider them next year when they're in the 60's. Don't want to get a first year model ('14 S63) because they usually have bugs.

2012 merc amg

Yes I agree, it probably will not happen. Even though these cars do cost a fortune to drive it is worth it, at least to me. Every time I get in my S550 I just relax. Really my only complaint with my 2015 is that when it is on adaptive cruise control with the steering it tends to move around a little bit in the lane and especially at night time it could make it look like you are drunk if there was a cop following you. These cars are very well built and very reliable. A lot of people do say don't drive them without a warrantee but I dunno about that. I'm sure there are people that drive them over 100K miles without too much trouble. The one thing that is bound to be trouble is the Air suspension but it could well last over 100K miles. I guess anything over 100k miles these cars are not worth much so probably best to buy one with under 30K miles and maybe get rid of it before 100K miles. Most people do not drive these cars more than 10 or 12K miles a year. If you did this plan you could be driving the car for 6 years or so. Probably more cost efficient to buy a 3 year old lease turn in than a new one for sure and drive it 5 or 6 years.

2012 merc amg

I have been very well pleasantly surprised how well the car does handle. A lot of time before I come off exit ramps I hit the button on the center console and put the car into sport suspension and it seems like less body roll. Even in regular mode there is not a real lot of body roll. I can imagine if I had summer only tires instead of the all season bridgestone it would handle even better. But ya, no complaints in the handling dept. for a big car it surprised me. If I want some real spirited driving though I take my 2018 E63 AMG, that definitely handles better than the S550 as it was designed to do just that. The S550 is more of a comfort luxury car, I like both cars the same in different ways, the S550 is much more practical than the E63AMG. The AMG has a very rough ride over bumpy roads. Also the S550 surprised me in the performance dept, it goes like hell. It even sounds fairly nice under wide open throttle. In Sport trans mode it is much more fun to drive. I normally drive it most of the time in that mode.

S500Sport

Parker @ Vehicle virgins just came out with a video (YT) about the model 3, that thing goes to 60 in 3.4 sec ! $55k for a low mileage one. Whoa.

2012 merc amg

My AMG is 3.1 seconds and much better car, not crazy about Teslas, I would never get one.

Mitch Alsup

If you keep the car until it's dying day, the depreciation is ZERO ($0.00).

S500Sport

No actually the accumulated depreciation is the value of the car minus it's salvage value at the terminal date. I am an Accountant, I should know these things.

merc.man

I purchased my first Mercedes-Benz when I was 23, a 2010 S63 AMG, now turning 25 in October I just purchased my second, a 2014 S550 4MATIC. I don't feel too young to drive this car, it is a hell of a car and if I'm honest my favorite car out there lol. So no it is not too mature for you haha. Car looks very clean, I'd hit them at like 54 see what they come back with. Good luck!

sam9187

+1

S500Sport

O jeez, you guys won't stop it with this one. I'm not concerned about the depreciation per say. Some cars just depreciate more than others, so if the S-Class is going to fall in value hard, then I'd just get a 718 Cayman or Boxster, they hold their value MUCH better. I'd just like to minimize losses while still enjoying the car. I'm being reasonable here.

I was doing my walk today, and I like to listen to EDM. And I just thought to myself, would an S-Class be a car to listen to EDM in? It's more of a Jazz/Classical music car. If you want to speed or cut into corners, or take it upstate, its not the car to do it in. So I'm thinking more about C43/718/C63S/E43, they're more of an EDMer's car. LOL. You just can't do wild things with an S-Class, it's a yacht not a Donzi speed boat. If I want to take a vacation I'll take the yacht, if I want a joyride: The Donzi.

Plus, since I will be working the weekdays, and I don't need the car to commute or do anything really, I'll leave it parked and ready for the weekends. In a three block radius I have: the bank, supermarket, laundry, all the essentials. So it's a question of, do I need a joyride or a vacation? I think the E43 with the air suspension is a hybrid when it comes to these matters.

Opinions anyone? Thank you!

superpop

Every car depreciates, the more expensive the car, the more it depreciates regardless of manufacturer. Go drive the cars and buy what you want. The Burmester system is fantastic for a factory system in the S, even with EDM music. Personally I am at a point in life where I want one car that does most of what I want including comfort, performance, and quietness. The boy racer cars being referenced are really single purpose vehicles designed to look youthful at the expense of comfort and quietness.

Quadrobenz

You want opinions? I have many but usually keep them to myself, but since you asked!
My solution to your dilemma was to buy one of each. I have an S65, an E63S and an SL65. However if percent of purchase price depreciation over 48 months is a scoring factor I feel the MB's are the worst.
90% of the time if I am leaving the house I take the SL65. Hands down favorite but I live along the SoCal coast. My wife loves the E63S and always drives that. I use the S for trips and for longer drives. The E is like a larger C, it is not remotely close to an S and our E63S has every option except ceramic brakes and carbon fiber trim.. I listen to rock music in all my cars and the S65 is surprisingly capable as a handling car. The Burmester 3D sound system is top notch. The S65 has ABC/MBC, the airmatic on the E is not remotely close to the ABC system but it is better than steel springs. Also none of my cars have "run flats" which makes a difference in the driving experience. I believe the 6 cylinder AMG's have them so I recommend they be taken off.
I see you are considering the AMG versions of the C class. Good choice. Just do not get a 4 cylinder, even AMG tuned.
Good luck with your decision.